LAND PLANE VS BOX BLADE: WHICH IS THE BETTER GRADING TOOL?

The age old Box Blade vs Land Plane debate.

We're installing the latest section of our gravel drive and that means we're looking to our Dirt Dog Box Blade and Dirt Dog Land Plane to grade out the gravel. These two attachments aren't hugely different in form, but the differences amount to enough that you just might want to think about it a minute before you make a purchase. We'll compare the two and show you both in action in today's video.

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This video is for entertainment purposes only. Good Works Tractors (Good Works Lawn & Power, LLC) cannot be held responsible for content found in any video. Always reference your owners manuals, use extreme caution, and proceed at your own risk.

[GoodWorksTractors]

Hope this video helped out some of you in the market. If you want more information on the products discussed in the video, please visit the links below.

[wbduckman]

Just a quick word of compliment. As I occasionally go back and listen to some of your first videos years back, it is amazing to see how far you have come in with your presentation in front of a video camera.
It now always seems to feel that we are your neighbors and friends, and you are doing your best to be there for all of us.
At least, that's how I feel.
Well done, my friend!

[bill]

I use my box blade for moving a dirt pile, but the landplane is great for smoothing out the drive way. I use it he shanks on the land plane when there are pot holes. If you just smooth I’ve them, they will come back. You need to tare up the edges of the post hole to distroy it. Then resmooth it out.

[johnmedlin]

I have both and they definitely have their purposes. I use my land plane for maintaining my 1, 000 foot long gravel driveway. The hydraulic top link makes using either one a breeze.

[maniagokm]

One of the unexpected but pleasant surprises with a hyd top link is the help it gives in getting your three point hitched up. On my 8N, I used to struggle with the heavy implements like the box blade, to get the two side arms AND the stabilizer bars on the pins. With one side and the top link installed, you can easily manipulate the other side links in place by jockeying the hyd top link. Beats using a crow bar or BAH or some such.

[chrisking]

I got a 7' box blade for my 75" wide L3560. I was worried it might be a bit too big for the HP but the tractor pulls a full box uphill with ease. Super versatile tool, best bang for the buck out there I'd say. Takes some practice but once you get the hang of it, it's a very accurate tool.

[BryanPorritt]

Great video, bought a 2025R and a 5' land plane in March. My 24 year old 1/4 mile driveway has never been better. Took a little trial and error, but wish I had known about it decades ago

[tg_ny]

Man, this guy is a mind reader when he comes up with great ideas for videos!

[bradmeacham]

I have a suggestion on a box blade use model with a hydraulic top link (really a requirement in my mind), and either a fixed rear blade, or a hinged/floating rear blade that can be locked into position. You can get much finer control of the box blade’s digging versus spreading action by controlling the front to back tilt of the box blade using the top link vs raising and lowering the 3-point hitch. When you want to dig, tilt the box blade forward slightly so the front blade is lower than the rear blade. When you want to spread, tilt the box blade back so it is riding on the rear blade and the front blade is now slightly higher than the rear blade. This will let you slowly distribute the contents of the box blade’s load of material in a very controlled manner while the rear blade, now being dragged along in a "reversed curve" orientation basically back drags the material being distributed.

[guystuff]

I use my yt359 heavily for making new atv trails. Push trees over and push them out if the way. Then follow through with the box blade and rippers. The rippers work really well to clear roots and debris to get to bare dirt. Then the box blade with hydraulic top link finishes the job.

[johngskewes]

I have a land plane and it is my opinion that it REALLY needs gauge wheels. Rear mounted grading tools nosedive into troths - creating issues. And coming off a high spot, the rig lifts off the ground. I see on your video, the same thing happens to you - you move large amounts of material that just need to be 'refreshed' and not hauled down range.
A friend loaned me his 8' york rake with gauge wheels last year - it is a fussy piece of kit, but I think it is superior to my land plane. Especially when establishing a crown.
I just laid 18 yds of fresh gravel with my landplane - I think I'll have gauge wheels added for next year - a grading blade needs to be center mounted, or it is not controllable....in my humble opinion. I am so thankful for having a bucket! At a certain point, the plane is a menace.

[janskoropinski]

Nice video, you can purchase additional blades for the land plane for pushing backwards. That way you don’t wear out the blade attachment angle iron. The one advantage with a box blade is that if you pulling up any larger rocks that you want to remove from the road the box blade will deposit them in one spot. While the land plane deposits them over a long distance. The one thing I use a scarifier for is to lower one or two and use them to dig out an pothole that is holding water.

[TheJonesFarm]

Cool video! Always appreciate the insight. I ran a box blade for a long time before I could afford to get a land plane for my business. Now I have both and I like them equally for different reasons. If I show up to a clients house for a driveway repair I always bring both implements no questions asked! Time for a hydraulic top link!!

[azkatie]

He is not lying about the hydraulic top link, but it is a time saver, a life saver. I would never have a tractor without one.

[dansundquist]

Good call on the geotextile. Definitely cheap insurance for keeping all that new rock in place.

[Adirondack_Transplant]

I get my box plane on Tuesday!!! Thanks for educating me.

[ryanb]

I have both a 48" box blade, and 48" land plane, both have have their purpose and both of mine do have ripper shanks

[scalph]

It took me a while to get used to my box blade but I love the results it makes. I always make sure my box blade is level from front to back. The rear is only up when Im ripping. Would be cool to try out a land plane. Got a demo I can try out? Great video keep them coming. The rippers are great for old gravel driveways. It rips up the sunken gravel. I worked my neighbor's driveway that looked like it needed gravel but when I was done it didn't need more.

[kylerayk]

Great video, Courtney! I've always wondered if a land plane could be used, under the right conditions, to help smooth and flatten a pasture. Maybe first thing in the spring when the soil is moist and soft.

[texasboy]

Great video! Loved the detailed explanations, especially since I'm a novice!